A United Nations committee says torture and poor treatment are still widespread in China.

The U.N. Committee Against Torture says torture is a big problem in China. The committee added China has not been helpful when asked how many cases of torture were reported and who has died in police custody.

The common methods of torture in China include physical beatings, hangings, electrical shocks, burning and scalding, and being tied or restrained during questionings. The International Society of Human Rights compiled the methods in a torture list.

A U.N. official said torture has been linked to relate to the reported crackdown on the country’s lawyers and human rights defenders. The U.N. committee is concerned about the detention and silencing of more than 200 lawyers and activists since July.

I'm Mario Ritter.

Lisa Schlein wrote this story for VOAnews.com from Geneva. Jim Dresbach adapted it for Learning English. Kathleen Struck was the editor.

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Words in This Story

custody – n. the state of being kept in a prison or jail

scalding – v. to burn someone or something with hot liquid or steam

crackdown – n. a serious attempt to punish people for doing something that is not allowed

detention – n. the act of keeping someone in a prison or a similar place